DistantNews
Support us
🇫🇯 Fiji /Disasters & Emergencies

Spanish Wildfires Claim 13th Victim: 93-Year-Old British Woman Dies

From FBC News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A 93-year-old British woman has died from injuries sustained in wildfires in Spain's Almeria province, bringing the total death toll to 13.
  • The wildfires, which burned over 7,000 hectares, also resulted in two more people being reported missing.
  • Authorities are working with international partners to identify victims, as residents return to their homes after the fires were contained.

A 93-year-old British woman has died from injuries sustained in the wildfires that ravaged Spain's southeastern Almeria province, raising the total death toll to 13. The regional government confirmed the fatality on Sunday night.

The Andalusian regional government said in a statement that the ​woman, who had pre-existing medical conditions, had been admitted to the emergency room in the early hours of ​Friday morning with burns covering 20% of her body.

— Regional government statementDetailing the condition of the 93-year-old British victim.

The woman was among eight individuals hospitalized after the fires. She had pre-existing medical conditions and was admitted early Friday morning with burns covering 20% of her body. Regional emergency chief Antonio Sanz extended condolences to her family and the families of other victims of what is considered one of Spain's deadliest wildfires. The blaze consumed over 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) in the Los Gallardos municipality.

The CID said in a statement it was now allowing family members overseas to report their loved ones missing and provide DNA samples in their countries of ​origin, and it expected to receive more reports in the coming days.

— CID statementExplaining the process for identifying victims with international connections.

Spanish forensic services reported two additional missing persons on Sunday night, following collaboration with authorities in France, Britain, and Belgium. The CID is allowing overseas family members to report loved ones missing and provide DNA samples in their home countries, anticipating more reports. Authorities have not yet formally identified all deceased individuals, and some may be among the missing.

Verdonckt told Reuters that his father and his father’s neighbours received no warning or advice from the authorities and opted to try to escape on foot when the flames were almost upon ​them.

— Thomas-Wolf VerdoncktDescribing his father's experience during the wildfire evacuation.

The Belgian government believes three Belgian nationals were among the victims. Stanislas Verdonckt, a 63-year-old Belgian businessman, was last in contact with his son before attempting to escape the flames on foot with neighbors after receiving no official warning. The Andalusian regional government stated the local mayor had advised the group to shelter in place. The fire's perimeter has since been secured, and over 1,000 residents were permitted to return to their evacuated villages. Despite the containment, regional president Juanma Moreno urged continued vigilance, noting that Andalusia averages 15 forest fires daily during the summer.

The Andalusian regional government ​said the local mayor had ⁠advised the group to shelter in place.

— Andalusian regional governmentReporting on the advice given to residents during the wildfire.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by FBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog